Improvement in metallic hones



UNITED STATES PATENT BEIGE.

WILLIAM H. WEBB, JR., OF CHELSEA, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT |-N 'M ETALLIC HONES.

To all whom t may concern.-

Beit known'that I, WILLIAM H. WEBB, Jr., of' Chelsea, in the county of Suolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Strop or Hone for Sharpening Razors or other Articles of Cutlery; and I do hereby declare that the same is fully described and represented in the following specification and the accompanying drawing, which exhibits a top view or plan of one ofthe said instruments.

I make the body or main part A of the strop of metal of a softer nature than one or more strips or bars of metal, a b c, which l insert and tix Within thesame, and so that their upper surfaces may be even or in or about in the same plane with that ot' the main part A. The said part A, with its handle B, I usually make of zinc, While the strips a b c may be made of a harder metal, such as copper, steel. or silver.

I generally prefer to have one metlipbsitve mthewotherwapegatvemetal, so far as their electrical or galyap' -properties are concerned, taking care that t e strip or strips of metal let into the main partA be of a harder metal.

It is supposed and believed that when the surfaceof the stropis covered with oil or a liquid an electric current is produced, Which promotes in some Way the process of sharpening` a razor when it is passed back and forth on the strop andthe rubbing-surface of the strop has been covered with a sharpening paste or matter. y It is not intended to assert it as a fact hat such an electric action really occurs, but

it is certain that the softer metal, in connection with the harder strip or strips operates to great advantage in sharpening and putting a fine edge on a razor or any delicate surgical instrument. When the razor is honed on'the hone the softer metal seizes and retains the sharpening material and enables it to Wear down the blade, the strips of harder metal serving at the same time, or While the bladeis moved on the hone, to smooth down or polish the abraded edge. It is very probable that the edges of the harder strips contribute to the removal ofthe metal from the side of the blade. With a hone constructed in this manner a very ne but not Wiry edge can readily be put upon a razor,the combination and arrangement of the harder and softer metals contributing to Wear and smooth or polish the edge.

What, therefore,I claim as myinvention is A hone constructed With its sharpening-surface composed ot' a combination of metals of different degrees of density, and arranged to gether substantially as specified, not-intending to claim the broad ground ot' constructing a hone of metal.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my signature this 7th day ot February, A. D. 1855.

WILLIAM H. WEBB, Jn.. 

